Christmas tree stand



NOV. 12, 1940. 'A,'J SCHULZ ETAL 2,221,205

CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Filed June 2, 1939 A'nfoRNEY Patented Nov. l2, 1940 2.221.205 y CHRISTMAS man STAND Aurea J. schulz ma ner-bg: n. schulz,

Milwauk Application rune 2, 1939, serial No. 276,9 64 t a claims. (ci. 24a- 44) 'I'his invention relates to Christmas tree stands.

The invention has for its object the simpliiication and reduction of the expense of manufacture of a Christmas tree stand of the general type shown in our companion application 84,042 now Patent No. 2,171,228. Specifically, it is the purpose of the present invention to eliminate several operations by vthreading the set screws of a Christmas tree stand into the legs thereof instead of threading the screws into the retaining ring, the assembly being such that no-separate connection'of the legs to the retaining ring is required, and the legs are sprung into place beneath an upset portion of the retaining ring,

where they are held partly by their own tension and partly by the extension of the screw through the retaining ring when the stand is not in use, and are bound by the reaction pressure of the screw when the screw is tightened upon the trunk of a tree.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view of a Christmas tree stand embodying this invention as it appears partially in section and partially in side elevation.

Fgure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the stand, broken away to a section exposing one of the set screws.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view taken in section on the line 3-3 of Figure -1.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

' The stand comprises a mounting plate 4 'to which the water receptacle 5 is riveted. The mounting plate may be triangular, and anged at 6 to conne the several legs 1. The legs are detachably connected with the plate, having offset portions 8 extended through slots 9 in the plate to overlie its upper surface, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The horizontal portion of the leg which projects from the plate 4 is turned downwardly at I0 to make a foot which carries the weight of the stand, and thence the leg extends upwardly at an incline at II and is turned vertically upwardly at its terminal portion I2, as shown in Figure 1.

In the device shown in the prior application above identied, the several legs are individually fastened to the retaining ring I5. In the present structure the ring I5 has its ornamental portion flanged downwardly at I6 :to make a recess into which the terminal I2 of each leg is received, in the manner clearly shown in Figure 1. The 0H- set at the lower and inner end of each leg is engaged with the plate 4 in such a manner that 65 when the upper terminal I2 of the leg is hooked beneath the downwardly extending flange I6, the leg will be subjected to a certain amount of spring bias tending to retain it in position independently of any bolts, screws, rivets, or other attaching means. 5

To assure the assembly, however, the set screws 20 are screw threaded to the leg terminals I2.. rather than ring I5. The leg terminals are tapped, but the holes 2| in the ring I5 are suiilciently large to afford ample'clearance for the 10 threads of the set screw.

With the set screws in place, it is obviously impossible for the upper end of the leg to become dislodged, and it is securely, though somewhat loosely, held in position pending the time when 15 the stand is placed in use. At that time the screws 20 are turned up against the trunk of the Christmas tree placed in the stand, with the result that the reaction of the pressure developed by each set screw is transmitted not to the 20 ring I5 but to the leg terminal I2 in which the set screw is threaded. Thus, the several legs are forced outwardly against the conning ange I6 and the entire structure is rendered extremely rigid thereby.

We claim: i

1. A Christmas tree stand comprising a retaining ring provided marginally with overhanging ange means, legs having intermediate foot portions and having their upper terminal portions 30 engaged between the ring and the ilange means. means comprising a'water receptacle connecting the inner and lower ends of said legs between and above said foot portions, and set screws threaded thorugh the terminal portions of said 35 legs and extending into said ring, whereby the reaction of said set screws upon engagement with a tree trunk is adapted to bind the terminal portions of the legs against said ange means.

2. In a Christmas tree stand, the combination 40 with an apertured ring of sheet metal provided with overhanging flange means, of legs having terminal portions engaged between the ring and the overhangingiiange means, and set screws in screw threaded connection with the terminal 45 portions of the respective legs and each extending through a hole in said ring, whereby to 'confine the terminal portionsA of said legs against escape from said ange means.

3. In a Christmas tree stand, the combination with a series of legs and means connecting said legs centrally of said stand, of a retaining ring above the point of connection of said legs, said legs extending from said point of connection outwardly anddownwardly to comprise supporting 55 feet and thence upwardly to said ring. overhangintnse means on said ring within which said legs have terminal portions connned under spring bias o! said legs. tree clamping set screws' l threaded to the respective terminal portions of the several legs, said ring being apertured to pass 

